Several parameters with the dimensions of length, such as the mean free path of conduction electrons in a metal, occur in theories of the electrical properties of solids. A change in properties would therefore be expected if the dimensions of a solid become comparable with one or more of these parameters, so that we should anticipate a difference between the electrical behaviour of thin films and that of bulk material. Examples of such phenomena, chosen from the fields of normal conductors, superconductors and insulators, are given, along with some brief mention of their importance in technology.
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E. H. Rhoderick (1964) studied this question.